Clooney’s new fiancée is ‘utterly wonderful’

Colleagues have praised the “utterly wonderful” human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, who has become engaged to Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney, and offered their congratulations.

The Oxford-educated barrister, who has represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, has been described as a “passionate defender of human rights”.

Gravity star Clooney is said to have popped the question and she is reported to have been seen wearing a large ring as she accompanied him to a dinner with Cindy Crawford and Edward Norton at a California restaurant.

Beirut-born Alamuddin, 36, is a member of Doughty Street Chambers in London, having joined in 2010 to complete her pupillage.

Eminent lawyer Geoffrey Robertson, who is the joint head of chambers, said: “Amal Alamuddin is a brilliant and passionate defender of human rights who has put in the enormously hard work necessary to improving them. She is respected and admired by all her colleagues.”

Chief executive Robin Jackson said: “Amal has been utterly wonderful since she arrived in Chambers. She brings a bright light to everything she is involved in, and I am so delighted at her happy news.”